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U.S. court guidelines versus Booking.com in Ryanair screen-scraping case

A U.S. court ruled that Booking.com broke the Computer system Scams and Abuse Act by accessing part of Ryanair's website without permission, court files showed.

The Irish airline company, Europe's biggest by traveler numbers, said the judgment would help end unauthorised screen scraping by reserving websites.

Booking.com said it was disappointed with the choices and prepared to appeal.

Ryanair has in recent years released a series of legal actions versus third-party reservation platforms that resell its tickets without permission.

It says the companies, which utilize screen-scraping software to find and resell tickets, add added fees and make it tough for the airline company to contact travelers.

A jury in the District Court of Delaware all found that Booking.com broke the Computer system Scams and Abuse Act and that it had caused a third party to gain access to parts of Ryanair's. site without authorization with an intent to defraud, the. verdict provided late on Thursday stated.

The court likewise rejected counterclaims by Booking.com that. Ryanair had disparaged the booking platform which the airline. was taken part in unreasonable competition.

We keep that permitting consumers to access and compare. fares throughout the travel market promotes consumer choice, a. representative for Booking.com stated in an emailed statement.

Ryanair, which has in recent months signed handle a. number of online travel agents for the authorised resale of. tickets, stated it hoped the judgment would set a precedent.

We anticipate that this judgment will end the internet piracy and. overcharging committed on both airline companies and other travel. companies and customers by the unlawful activity of OTA (online. travel agent) Pirates, Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary. said in a statement.

He said he hoped the judgment would require consumer companies. across Britain and Europe to take action to outlaw illegal. screen scraping and overcharging of consumers for flights and. secondary services.

(source: Reuters)